Deck 15: Challenges Facing Compensation Professionals

Question 1

Robert prefers to work full-time as a business analyst,but he is forced to work part-time for economic reasons because he is unable to find a full-time job.Which of the following best describes this situation?

A)underemployment
B)malemployment
C)underutilization
D)discrimination

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the direct or indirect reasons of rising wages in China?

A)Chinese policy makers' support of increased wages
B)one-child policy
C)labor shortages
D)increasing cost of exports

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The gap between productivity and real hourly compensation was the highest during which of the following periods?

A)1947-1973
B)1979-1990
C)1990-2000
D)2000-2011

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The Chinese central government is creating pressure throughout the wage structure because

A)it is trying to increase Chinese citizens' ability to purchase imported products.
B)it has raised minimum wage rates multiple times.
C)it has frozen minimum wage rates.
D)it has relaxed the one-child policy.

Question 5

During which period did the so-called Great Recession occur?

A)February 2005 to July 2008
B)December 2008 to January 2010
C)April 2007 to December 2009
D)December 2007 to June 2009

Question 6

Discuss two possible unintended consequences of raising the salary threshold to qualify for overtime pay.

Question 7

Which one of the following is NOT considered a long-term implication of underemployment?

A)a slowdown in the economic recovery from recession
B)higher spending by companies
C)reduced consumption of goods and services
D)reduced business production

Question 8

Which one of the following factors has contributed to China's labor shortage?

A)approximately 30 years of the one-child policy
B)mass emigration of Chinese citizens to various other countries
C)increases to minimum wage rates
D)imposed limit on the number of individuals who can work per family

Question 9

Jane holds a doctoral degree in sociology and works as a taxi driver.Which of the following best describes this situation?

A)malemployment
B)overstaffing
C)discrimination
D)unemployment

Question 10

Which is believed to be one of the reasons for President Obama's call to increase the overtime pay threshold?

A)Companies believe that increasing the overtime pay threshold will promote competitive advantage.
B)Labor unions have threatened to strike.
C)New York and California have already set thresholds that are higher than the federal level (as of July 2015).
D)Raising the threshold will directly lead to a lower unionization rate in the private sector.

Question 11

Which of the following is a possible advantage of raising the overtime pay threshold?

A)lower income tax rate
B)higher employee motivation to move into upper-level management positions
C)pay increases for all employees
D)higher discretionary income for the additional workers who meet the new exemption criteria

Question 12

________ is a situation in which a worker possesses more qualifications,skill,and education than is required by his/her existing job.

Question 13

Companies promote profits,in part,by holding down employees' ________.

Question 14

One study about the minimum wage in particular cities concluded which of the following?

A)Those cities suffered job losses in both the retail and food service industries.
B)Those cities suffered job losses in the retail industry, but not in the food service industry.
C)Those cities didn't suffer job losses among low-wage restaurant workers.
D)Those cities didn't suffer job losses at any job level.

Question 15

Although Congress has yet to raise the federal minimum wage (as of June 2015),

A)some states have chosen to raise their minimum wage rates.
B)all of the states have set aside discussions of possibly raising their minimum wage rates.
C)businesses are pressuring the federal government to act on increasing the minimum wage rate.
D)some states have engaged in discussions about repealing their minimum wage laws.

Question 16

What are some of the issues associated with rising wages in China?

Question 17

Many people are concerned that raising the minimum wage rate will do which of the following?

A)increase employee turnover
B)lead to higher unemployment
C)negatively influence service quality
D)result in greater onshoring activities

Question 18

________ refers to a general slowdown in economic activity.

Question 19

Which of the following Asian countries has the highest average pay rate?

A)Vietnam
B)China
C)Indonesia
D)Bangladesh

Question 20

________ is a situation in which a worker is forced to work part-time due to economic situations although she/he is willing to work full-time.

Question 21

Differences in employee preferences and needs based on life stage and life circumstances call for which of the following?

A)comprehensive health insurance plans
B)generous paid vacation allowances
C)flexible benefits
D)child care benefits

Question 22

Which benefit might part-time workers be less likely to need?

A)life insurance
B)day care
C)health insurance
D)paid vacation

Question 23

Offering relevant employee benefits can lead to which of the following outcomes?

A)higher return on investment
B)overutilization of employee benefits
C)lower workforce diversity
D)lower hourly wage rates

Question 24

Since the 1970s,________ has lagged behind labor productivity growth.

Question 25

Which one of the following racial groups is expected to have the slowest labor force participation growth rate through the year 2022?

A)mixed races
B)Asian
C)African American
D)Caucasian